Pearce's young Lions have their claws drawn by classy France.

(From Guardian Unlimited)

England's team bus had an altercation with a gate-post en route into the City Ground last night but the damage to its bodywork appeared purely cosmetic next to the dented egos subsequently suffered by Stuart Pearce's players.

Out-paced, out-passed and, above all, out-thought by a gloriously watchable France, Pearce's hitherto heavily lauded side suffered only the third defeat of his 25-game reign. England looked laboured in comparison with their visitors and should heed this warning that maybe they are not quite as good as previously thought. Damningly their first shot on target, from Adam Johnson, arrived in the 85th minute.

Before kick-off Pearce was serenaded with chants of "Psycho, Psycho" as Forest fans welcomed back a returning hero and most forbidding former left-back.

Sadly there was little formidable about his players, who seemed taken aback by France's fluidity.

"I didn't skirt around the issue with the lads afterwards, a very good France taught us a lesson tonight," said Pearce who -described the defeat as "a bloody nose".

While his side are safely qualified for this summer's European Under-21 Championships in Sweden their visitors surprisingly failed to make the final cut.